Robbed dialysis patient gets new scooter

[okarol]

Robbed dialysis patient gets new scooter
“Maybe it was God’s will,” says donor.

By Austin L. Miller
Staff writer

Published: Friday, August 27, 2010 at 1:24 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, August 27, 2010 at 1:25 p.m.

OCALA – A dialysis patient whose motorized scooter was stolen from the back of his truck Monday while he was undergoing kidney treatment has received a new mode of transportation.

On Thursday afternoon, 70-year-old John Larry Rammel picked up his new Jazzy power chair from the Interfaith Emergency Services thrift shop. Store manager Steve Clem said Rammel took the motorized vehicle, equipped with a joy stick, for a spin, and “away he went.”

“I really liked it,” said Rammel in a telephone interview with the Star-Banner.

The Salt Springs man went to Davita Kidney Center in Reddick on Monday as usual, where he undergoes kidney dialysis three times a week, for four hours each visit. When Rammel came out of the center, the $1,100 scooter that he bought used a little more than two months ago was missing.

Thinking the mobility device, which is normally secured by a metal bar to a power lift attached to the back of his 2007 Chevrolet pickup, may have fell off along the journey, Rammel retraced his route, but the scooter was nowhere to be seen.

Rammel, whose income is from Social Security and a small pension, said that after the incident was made public he received a number of phone calls from people offering to organize a collection drive to purchase another scooter or to buy him one outright.

At the thrift store Friday, Clem said he saw Rammel’s story in the newspaper on Wednesday and wanted to help. Clem said he called the Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the case and left his information with an official, who called Rammel.

Clem believes Rammel’s new chair was “made for” the 70-year-old.

Clem said the person who donated the scooter paid $4,200 for it new and that it was intended for an individual who died less than a month after receiving the motorized vehicle. Roughly three months ago, the family donated the Jazzy mobile to Interfaith.

The agency receives funding from churches, other religious organizations and private individuals, and assists those in need. The thrift shop at 718 N.W. Pine Ave. also helps raise funds that are used to support outreach programs.

The power scooter was taken to the thrift store, which had priced it for sale at $750, far below its original sale price.

But there were no takers.

“Normally, we have good success with selling them,” Clem said. “Trust me, if I had a good offer, I would’ve sold it.”

Then Clem saw Rammel’s story and decided to help.

“Maybe it was God’s will,” Clem said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.